Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This snake was found in a high rise apartment building near me, and since it is only a hatchling, it is surmised that there is someone breeding them in the building and losing them after they hatch.
If someone can identify this snake, I would appreciate it.

This first picture is an overhead of the snake

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

again from above

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

from the side

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

from below

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

Where do you live? My first thought is neonate Coluber sp. But I'm no expert. There are those here that will respond readily and accurately. Shan't be long to a positive ID but geographic location is important to pin down the ssp. (subspecies).

Regards,
J.

Could be neonate Masticophis sp (Coachwhip) as well depending on location. Location is very helpful in ID'ing an animal.

Regards,
J.

I live in eastern ontario, Canada. However, I don't know if that would be too much help seeing as how the snake was found in a high rise, and I doubt it climbed up there on its own. We think it is highly probable that it was imported by one of the tenants, but then again, improbable isn't impossible
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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

Wow, you're right. I guess I could follow with "what floor?" but high-rise is high-rise. Get's kinda cold up there as well as I remember. Suspect your assessment as to a breeding program somewhere in the building has gone awry is correct. That having been said and not knowing the Laws up there regarding venomous animals I'd treat your captive as I would an unknown here in Florida. Don't take undue risk! Could be anything...Stay safe and out of reach.

Regards,
J.

Def nonvenomous. Typical Nerodia sipedon, common in urban areas. People down here find Nerodia in places ranging from hotel rooms to bathtubs to cars. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

To the wife's credit... a question that needs answering: "Buy any exotic (for your neck of the woods) plants lately? If so, where do they come from?

Regards,
J.

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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Tis' has the man said.......No question. Frank

Looks like a neonate Northern Water Snake to me. Alternating dark pattern dorsally and laterally on the rear 2/3 of the body, lateral markings join the dorsal markings to form crossbands on the front 1/3, belly markings, light gray ground color..

I'm with the old guy part way on this one...definitely looks like Nerodia, but I'd say blotched as opposed to northern, due to the positioning of the side blotches relative to the dorsal blotches. Run a search on Nerodia erythrogaster transversa & see if the pix don't match what you have. Definitely not native to your area, but also not a threat to anyone or their pets.

~~Greg~~

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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Knew you all would come in and work it out. Neonates are tough for me. Too many differences between them and adults in a lot of cases. Particularly when neonates have not been previously observed by me. I DO love the caveat "I'm no expert". But still, Nerodia in a highrise in Ontario??? Live and learn...

Regards,
J.

Definately a northern (Nerodia s. sipedon)

Any chance this guy would eat mice?
Or should I go get some fish for him? (what kind of fish?)
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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

Absolutely POSITIVE that is a neonate Northern Water snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon). As for feeding, you could try a pinkie, but I'll bet he'll go for fish (goldfish or guppies, that's what I'd try) before a mouse. You might also want to try crickets. I however haven't ever cared for a water snake, so I wouldn't use this post as the bible to feeding baby water snakes.

No crickets. Fish, mice, frogs, crayfish, they will take them all. I have gotten mine to eat earthworms and nightcrawlers as well. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Looks to me likea baby black racer.

Too fat, and head is wrong. Look at the second pic and third...it is more obvious in those. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains